A Welcome Message from Commissioner Rubio
Friends and Neighbors,
In the seven years since its historic passage by the voters, we have been hard at work on implementing Portland's Housing Bond. With the recent groundbreaking at Francis + Clare Place, there is only one remaining Bond project waiting to begin construction — the Bond is quickly approaching its final phase of implementation.
So, how have we been doing? With the allocation of all remaining Bond funds in 2022, we are proud to be exceeding all major production goals for the Bond. Not only have we produced 43% more affordable homes than initially promised, but we are also creating more homes for families, more Permanent Supportive Housing, and more deeply affordable homes than we committed to in 2016.
I am deeply grateful to the staff at the Portland Housing Bureau, and to all of our housing partners, for being such diligent stewards of Portland's taxpayer dollars. In the midst of a deep and prolonged housing crisis and resulting houselessness, every affordable unit counts. These 1,859 new homes will make a meaningful impact for our City in these challenging times. Thank you to Portland voters for stepping up for housing.
Gracias,
Commissioner Carmen Rubio
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Hope Springs at Francis + Clare Place
Francis + Clare Place, a new 61-unit community of Permanent Supportive Housing, broke ground in the Buckman neighborhood in September. Developer Catholic Charities is partnering with the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA) to provide wrap-around services to the highly vulnerable, extremely low-income individuals and couples who will call these apartments home after moving in off the streets and out of the shelter system.
Services will be funded by the Joint Office of Homelessness Services. Made possible via a land purchase from the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church next door, Francis + Clare Place will be centrally located near frequent transit, groceries, parks, and workforce training opportunities. The project is expected to open next summer.
"With housing they can afford, and the support of this community," said Commissioner Carmen Rubio at the event, "with amenities, green space, and transportation nearby, the residents of Francis + Clare Place will gain the stability, skills, and independence they need to thrive."
With this milestone, all but one Portland Housing Bond project is either open or under construction.
Apply for Housing!
These Bond projects are currently accepting applications. Follow the links below to find more information on how to apply.
Hayu TIlixam
Cathedral Village
Las Adelitas
The Starlight
Crescent Court Apartments
East Burnside Apartments
The Ellington Apartments
Anna Mann House
The Aurora
Emmons Place
The Aurora's New Dawn
In early October, we joined Our Just Future to celebrate the grand opening of their new apartment community, the Aurora, bringing 93 new affordable homes to outer Southeast Portland's Glenfair neighborhood. Andy Miller, executive director of Our Just Future, noted that "aurora" means "dawn" in Latin, and expressed hope that this project will represent a new dawn for the families and individuals who will call the Aurora home, and for the community at large.
With 46 units sized for families, and 16 units offering Permanent Supportive Housing, the Aurora aims to serve a diverse and vibrant community. On-site amenities include a large community room, offices for supportive services, a kids' room with a climbing wall, trauma-informed design, and a playground outside. Supportive services will be provided by Our Just Future and Lifeworks NW.
Located a block away from the MAX Blue line as well as the frequent service 20 bus line on Stark St., the Aurora was funded in part by Metro's Transit-oriented Development program, and the Metro Supportive Housing Services measure will provide funding for the Permanent Supportive Housing units.
Speaking at the event, PHB Interim Director Michael Buonocore thanked Portland voters for making this possible: "It is because of Portland voters trusting us with an historic housing bond that we are able to stand here today," he said. "And I'm especially glad to report that we are delivering on our promises to those voters who entrusted us with this critical resource."
Las Adelitas Residents Take Time for Self-Care
Las Adelitas, a 141-unit Bond development in Cully, was opened late last year by Hacienda CDC, a community-based organization centered around serving the Latine community of Portland, and theCully neighborhood in particular. This Latine Heritage Month, Hacienda's resident services staff held a Self-Care Workshop at Las Adelitas for residents and neighbors.
After serving calming lavender or peppermint tea, Resident Services Coordinator Heather Beck and her colleagues led the group, about half Latine and half Caucasian, with some Somali members, in a 10-minute guided meditation. They then asked participants to share what they do to find inner peace in the hectic, modern world. Participants had a wide array of answers, like taking a walk in the park, talking to friends, or visiting family.
The group then turned to a game of "self-care bingo," using a self-care worksheet to think about commonly missed self-care activities like drinking enough water and getting enough sleep. Winners of the bingo game received locally-made doTerra essential oils as prizes.
"People have been stressed," says Heather, and workshops like this "give them a moment of respite. If they're a single mom, maybe sometimes they just want some peace. "I'm so lucky that these events are in my backyard,'" one participant told Heather.
Heather says she "would advocate self-care for everyone, but especially the Cully area." With greater focus on self-care, "we can be positive if we come together as a community."
Progress
Portland's Housing Bond is supporting 15 projects, with eleven open, three currently in construction and opening in 2024, and one in pre-development, for a total of 1,859 units. Click here to learn more about the Bond's progress.